Optimal Design of Wood/Rice Husk-Waste-Filled PLA Biocomposites Using Integrated CRITIC–MABAC-Based Decision-Making Algorithm

Abstract

Based on the criteria importance through inter-criteria correlation (CRITIC) and the multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC), a decision-making algorithm was developed to select the optimal biocomposite material according to several conflicting attributes. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-based binary biocomposites containing wood waste and ternary biocomposites containing wood waste/rice husk with an overall additive content of 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 wt.% were manufactured and evaluated for physicomechanical and wear properties. For the algorithm, the following performance attributes were considered through testing: the evaluated physical (density, water absorption), mechanical (tensile, flexural, compressive and impact) and sliding wear properties. The water absorption and strength properties were found to be the highest for unfilled PLA, while modulus performance remained the highest for 10 wt.% rice husk/wood-waste-added PLA biocomposites. The density of PLA biocomposites increased as rice husk increased, while it decreased as wood waste increased. The lowest and highest density values were recorded for 10 wt.% wood waste and rice husk/wood-waste-containing PLA biocomposites, respectively. The lowest wear was exhibited by the 5 wt.% rice husk/wood-waste-loaded PLA biocomposite. The experimental results were composition dependent and devoid of any discernible trend. Consequently, prioritizing the performance of PLA biocomposites to choose the best one among a collection of alternatives became challenging. Therefore, a decision-making algorithm, called CRITIC–MABAC, was used to select the optimal composition. The importance of attributes was determined by assigning weight using the CRITIC method, while the MABAC method was employed to assess the complete ranking of the biocomposites. The results achieved from the hybrid CRITIC–MABAC approach demonstrated that the 7.5 wt.% wood-waste-added PLA biocomposite exhibited the optimal physicomechanical and wear properties.

Poly-Lactic Acid-Bagasse Based Bio-Composite for Additive Manufacturing

“…Although some of these disadvantages make them unsuitable for certain applications where the specific requirements are too stringent, they may find a use in other applications where severe features are not required. In the literature, several attempts to create bio-composites by recovering wastes and using it as filler are reported: Toro et al [21] studied the introduction of egg shell in a polypropylene matrix, Li et al [22] used waste shellfish shell as filler with polypropylene matrix again [23], durian skin waste was employed by Manshor et al [24] as filler in PLA bio-composites after a pre-treatment, Sing et al [25] prepared bio-composites made by PLA with wood waste and rise hush, and Lima et al recovered mango seed waste and used it as reinforcement in PLA matrix [26]. All these works show that it is possible to recover and valorize waste that can be used in the production of bio-composites.…”

Multi-Attribute Decision Making: Parametric Optimization and Modeling of the FDM Manufacturing Process Using PLA/Wood Biocomposites

“…It was determined that the inclusion of the maleic anhydride can significantly suppress the thickness swelling by increasing the water resistance of the blends when compared to the standard PLA/wood biocomposites. Singh et al [18] have successfully integrated the CRITIC-MABAC-Based Decision-Making algorithm in optimizing the chemical composition of wood/rice husk-waste-filled PLA biocomposites to achieve the components with optimal physical and mechanical properties. The authors determined the blends of PLA with a 7.5% wood content as the optimal biocomposite composition.…”

Food-safe glycidyl-free chain extenders for polylactides

“…Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biobased aliphatic polyester that is produced from renewable resources. 1 PLA is biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic and has high-performance mechanical characteristics. Consequently, it is utilized in various applications, including textiles, packaging, and healthcare.…”